Seeing Red

The Chicago Bulls finished off their second West Coast trip this year with a win over the Nash-less Phoenix Suns.  While my enthusiasm is tempered since Steve Nash and Boris Diaw were both out due to injury, I'm going to give more credit to Bulls than everyone else seems to.  All I've really read is how the Suns were so short handed and then I see picture like this of Leandro Barbosa crying in pain as if the Suns lost him too.  CRAP.  He played the whole game and scored a ton of points.  It probably wasn't his shoulder...he was just upset the Bulls were kicking his ass.

It's not like Chicago was healthy or even rested.  Playing without Nocioni, the Bulls played the last game of a brutal west coast swing and the third game in 4 nights.  The Bulls could have mailed it in, but didn't.  They played hard and deserved to win. 

There were times, however, when I thought the Bulls would lose their grip on this one.  The Suns kept finding stretches to put it together which corresponded to the stretches the Bulls sleep walk through.  This is nothing new.  They do this all the time.  It's a problem and Skiles has been trying to address and perhaps he has.  I sensed something, especially in the third quarter, when the Suns came back to take the lead.  The Bulls had committed a ton of turnovers and made a ton of bonehead errors.  I thought the Bulls would let another one drop.  They looked like they were sleepwalking.  SNAP!  All of a sudden, they seemed to wake up.  They protected the ball, recaptured the tempo, took good shots, and played great defense.  If the Bulls can put it together like this, every night, and learn to do without Nocioni, then we might have something here especially when he's back. 

While this last swing through the West was still a losing effort, maybe some good will have come of it if the Bull finally learned how to put it together and win.

I don't know why Nocioni insists on doing his silly plyometric aerobics with a bad foot, but I'm glad Skiles is finally sitting Andres ass down.  Plantar Fasciitis is pretty hard to treat and only thing you can really do is sit and rest it.  I should know, because I also have it in my right foot and it kept me off the basketball and volleyball courts for the last 6 weeks.  Can you play on it?  Sure, BUT it really hampers your game and you can run the risk of further damage.  And considering the Bulls situation, its a good time to rest it. 

Look at the big picture...barring a complete meltdown, the Bulls are going to be in the playoffs and a very healthy Nocioni will be a big part of that success.  So rest the foot and give it time.

Obviously, in the short term, the Andres-less Bulls are going to hurt.  At first glance, the Kings and Warriors are up on back to back nights.  No problem, right?  WRONG.  The Kings have our number winning 14 of the last 15 match-ups.  Bibby loves playing the Bulls.  Oh, by the way...he's running the offense which stars ex-Pacer, ex-rapper, ex-problem, Ron Artest.  This guy has disappeared from infamy and is playing some great ball in the west coast.  Without Nocioni to play some of the tough annoying Ron Artest type of D, the Bulls will have their hands full.

And then, there are the Warriors.  This is a team we should beat, but on a back to back night after playing a tough game against the Kings, things can get complicated.

That said, there is a reason why there are no All-Stars on this Chicago Bull squad.  There doesn't have to be.  These guys play well as a team and can fight thru the short term loss of an important piece.  I believe this will also strenghten the team in the long run...maybe one of those blessings in disguise I hear about.  Hopefully, by the All-Star Break, the Bulls will be an even stronger unit and when Nocioni returns, be even better than before.

Okay, so they've played half a season already, however I couldn't really focus my attention as long as the Bears were alive.  Now that it's over I can re-dedicate myself to the NBA.  I realize, the Bears are still going to be in the news for a few more days, but I'll let Mike and Perry handle that. 

If you are interested in the Bulls (and NBA in general) tune back here Thursday.  Until then...Bear Down.

I've had a long day of last minute holiday shopping.  After a day like this one, its always nice to just come home, relax, and listen to my favorite song.  The music I'm listening to now has been moving up the charts all month and continues to play strong.  I never get tired of it...the Bulls are blowing out the Hornets as I'm typing.  Yeah!

After a beautiful run that ended against the Knicks last night, Chicago is starting a new streak.  In that run, the Bulls overtook the Cavs for second place in the division and is still in striking distance of first.

As usual Noccioni is playing his butt off as is Ben Gordon.  Although they haven't been a scoring threat, Hinrich and Duhon have been contributing in the assist and hustle columns of the score sheet.  After taking the first half off, Ben Wallace and Luol Deng have asserted themselves in the second with strong defensive play and toughnosed offensive play.

OH MY!  Tyrus Thomas just jumped out of the gym dunking a long three attempt that was way short.  The Bulls and their fans have to love the flashes from he and Sefolosha.  This might well be the dynamic duo that Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry should have been.  However, that is for the future.  Here and now, the Bulls are...whoa!  Sefolosha just stole the ball on the run, ran down the length of the court, and reverse jammed it.  BEAUTIFUL!!! 

Where was I?  Oh yeah...while we wait for Tyrus and Thabo to be the headliners of group in years to come, the Bulls are developing their sweet new sound with a solid team effort using all the tools of the trade. 

Alright, family calls so I have to run...it is the holidays.  Happy Holidays, everybody.

The New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets are the proud new bearers of the scarlet letter "F".  Indiana and Detroit  both thank you.

Denver, with a big lead, late in 4th decided to step on the necks of their opponents by leaving all their starters in.  The Knicks took offense, fouled hard (and a little dirty), and the rumble was on. The fighting spilled over into the media guys on the endline.  It looked like it would end their until Carmelo Anthony came into the picture and pimp-slapped Jared Jeffries of the Knicks.  Now Jared is not the type to take that (unless its Bobby Knight), so he went after Carmelo.  Of course, Carmelo ran away.  In all, ten players were ejected; five from each team.

I want to be incensed and appalled by it.  A big part of me wishes to chastise professional athletes about their behavior especially in the light of the example it sets for fans...especially the young ones.  But everytime I work up the verve, Chris Rock whispers into my ear..."I understand."  Remember that bit...where Chris explains the OJ murders.  "Now, I'm not sayin' he should have killed her, but I understand."  Put their shoes on for a second.  It's Madison Square Garden, your home, your fans, and another team is beating the daylights out of you.  Your fans are on the verge of losing their voices from boo-ing.  The season has been terrible.  The best team in your division is 10-13 and you are in 4th place. 

I'm not sayin' the Knicks should have fouled excessively hard, but I understand.  The Knicks were trying to send a message. 

I'm not sayin' the message couldn't have been delivered differently, but I understand.  If they calmly explained after the game, they would look like cry babies.

I'm not sayin' this fight should have happened, but I understand.  Teams are going to think twice before they try to embarrass the Knicks again.

I'm not sayin' this will fix their season, but I understand.  It's been a frustrating one and even though they are only a few games behind first in the pathetic Atlantic, this season is already another failure.

What did you do?  Eleven years with Philly is a long time.  I thought you two were happy.  Sure there were bumps along the way, but what marriage doesn't have obstacles?  Philly wasn't happy with the No Practice Clause you handwrote in your contract, but she seemed to compromise.  Now, all I hear from the grapevine is that she booted you out the house and cleaned out your closet.  I feel for you.  I guess when there are irreconcilable differences, a decision has to be made. 

So now what?  I hear you won't shack up with Carolina.  She seems nice, although a little needy.  She also has tight purse strings and we all know you like to live it up.  Yeah, that probably isn't a good fit.  Minnesota needs some love.  I know you are attracted to her and why not.  Tall and beautiful in a...cagey way.  Oh, but she hasn't planned well and as much as she wants to be with you...she's already made commitments that limit her flexibility to be with you.  No first round picks to trade for years to come.

I understand Indiana likes you.  I hear you like her back.  I know she looks hot, but her family is rough.  Detroit, Cleveland, and Chicago?  I don't know if you know what you are getting into. They all hate you, did you know that?  In fact, I'm not going to beat around the bush. 
Don't go there.  It will just be a mess.  And I'm not just saying that because the Bulls are my favorite team...really, I swear.  I'm just looking out.  In fact, you need new surroundings and distance...lots of distance.  I know, for some reason, you are not fond of California.  I don't know why.  There are lots of hot teams out that way.

Hey, you know who's nice (and also far away)?  Carmelo in Denver.  I know he's a dude, BUT he does have those nice girly braids you like so much.  You guys would look awesome, skiing those beautiful slopes in Colorado wearing matching powder blue warm-ups and headbands.  Yeah, I can see it, can you?  I think if you make one of those Pro/Con lists, you'll see its the right fit for you.  It's really, really beautiful out that way.  You'd be happy (and far away).

Sincerely,

Shaj316

That's about the best way to put it.  The Pacers literally didn't show up to play the Bulls.  Jermaine O'Neal, Stephen Jackson, and Al Harrington all missed the game due to injury and suspension.  Or did they?  I think they faked it so they could watch their fantasy players on Monday Night Football along with the rest of the country.  Bear Down!

Against a team lacking their big three stars, the other team has got to win.  I am happy to report the Chicago Bulls did exactly that moving themselves into sole possession of third in the division.  (I can't really report more than that since I watched the 2nd half of the Bears game with my volleyball team after we lost 2-1 in Barrington, IL.  We, like the Pacers, licked our wounds in front of a big screen tv watching Hester do his Deion Sanders impression).

Coming up for the Bulls on Wednesday are the Seattle Supersonics.  Unfortunately for Chicago, Seattle will not be distracted by Wednesday Night Football.  Chicago should also be prepared for a Seattle team hovering near .500 and fighting to improve themselves in their division.  Like Chicago, they have been playing well winning 4 of their last 5, losing a heartbreaker to Utah.  The Bulls will need to Bear down if the want to build some momentum and overtake Cleveland who is only a game and half ahead.

Ben Wallace was blinded Saturday night by Kevin Garnett's magnificently bald head in a 91-81 loss that snapped the Chicago Bulls 7 game winning streak.  Team doctors agree Wallace will recover from his bout of hysterical blindess for Monday's game against the Pacers. 

All joking aside, I am encouraged by the Bulls performance since that horrendous West Coast trip.  They've played much better and with more consistency.  I won't say they've gelled yet, but its encouraging to see the fight back in them.  For instance, they could have mailed it in last night but put on a late rush to at least make the game interesting.  Even in a loss, that kind of fight can go a long way in developing some good team chemistry. 

The Bulls are going to need to maintain that verve if they want to make a real run of it this year.  Sure the East is down yet again so a playoff berth should be expected, do the Bulls really wanna play the underdog again in the first round.  NO!  Let's go!  Play hard, fight, and earn that 2 or 3 seed.  

Why can't the Bulls finish first?  As far as I can tell, its in the Bulls hands.  Detroit and Cleveland are ahead of Chicago, but there in the division.  If the Bulls do there job, they can control the Central with a shot of getting the first seed in East.  Although there are plenty of games left, why wait?  Play with urgency while the East is up for grabs.  If the Bulls play hard and smart, there is no reason Chicago can't put together another run of Ws and really take charge...especially in this next set of 10 games.  Make the statement now.